Is the water in your toilet bowl lower than usual? Is the bowl not filling like it usually does after you flush?
This is actually a common problem that many people deal with in their bathrooms. There are a few different reasons this happens. We have listed the four most common causes of your toilet bowl not filling with water and how to fix it.
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Fill Tube Damage
A damaged fill tube is one of the most common things we fix in toilets. A fill tube is a small plastic hose that is normally clear or black in color. It connects to a vertical plastic tube which is known as the overflow tube. This is all contained within the toilet tank. If this tube is damaged or broken, water can no longer flow in the toilet after it has been flushed. Damage causes the valve to shut off before the bowl can completely refill.
How to Fix it: You can inspect this tube by lifting the tank lid and looking inside for possible damage to the tube. Make sure it is connected to the overflow tube. If it isn’t connected, this is most likely your problem and will be solved when you connect them back together. If the fill tube is damaged or broken you will need to purchase a new one and replace it.
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Fill Valve Damage
A broken fill valve can also be the reason your toilet is not working correctly. This is a tube that connects to the water supply, found at the bottom of your toilet. When the fill valve is doing its job, you will notice that the air-filled ball inside the tank is floating and shuts off the valve once the water is refilled. These valves will wear out overtime.
How to Fix it: You may be able to fix the issue by manually adjusting the fill valve so the ball is in the right place. A damaged fill valve cannot be mended, it needs to be replaced.
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Toilet Bowl Damage
Although this is not as common as a valve issue, a crack in a toilet can happen. A crack causes water to leak, bringing down the level of water in your toilet bowl.
How to Fix it: You can buy materials and use them to fill the crack in the toilet. If you can, we recommend replacing the toilet altogether since leaks overtime can result in much higher costs compared to purchasing a new toilet.
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Sewer Vent Line Block
The sewer line vent could be the reason for low water levels. This is a part of your plumbing that is responsible for removing sewer gasses after you flush. When the airflow is blocked inside this vent, the water level in the toilet bowl can change. This blockage can be anything from a bird nest, to a trapped rodent, to tree debris that has accumulated on your roof where this line ends.
How to Fix it: Safely remove any debris on your roof and look inside the vent for a blockage using a flashlight. You can also try to run a snake inside the line to dislodge a blockage.
If you find yourself with a possible sewer vent line blockage, we highly recommend calling one of our professional plumbers to perform a safe and quick inspection for you. We have access to cameras that can see deep inside your plumbing, where a flashlight may not reach. This is also a non-invasive, affordable way to look for clogs or possible blockage. Call Rooter Man today to schedule an inspection or to learn more about our plumbing services.